Watch above: As the crisis in Ukraine continues, a new Canadian project hopes to make a difference in the war-torn country. The Saskatchewan government is shelling out $25,000 to help send ambulances overseas. Jacqueline Wilson reports.
SASKATOON – Ukrainian Day at the Park celebrated the country’s culture in Saskatoon Saturday but also reminded people of the conflict still taking place overseas. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress and MD Ambulance have been working with partners to rally support for the “Ambulances of Ukraine” project.
“They know they’re coming from the people of Canada,” said Dave Dutchak, the former CEO of MD Ambulance.
“Alberta is in our first intake of the four ambulances and Saskatchewan, Manitoba those are all big Ukrainian communities. So for the people of Ukraine to know that the ground level people in Canada are working on something that sends a big message and a moral message.”
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In total, four ambulances have been donated, three from Saskatchewan and one from Alberta.
The vehicles left Halifax earlier this month and are set to arrive in Ukraine this week.
“There’s just a lot of good feelings about doing something here that will make a difference,” said Dutchak.
Officials say they will help frontline health care workers transfer wounded from the conflict zone to general hospitals throughout the country.
“It means a lot to be able to help somebody in another country,” said James Pollock, Duck Mountain Ambulance Care CEO.
“We help people every day here and that’s what we love to do but to be able to help somebody in another country, especially with what’s going on in the Ukraine at this moment, it is a really great feeling to be able to send them an ambulance that might be able to save another life there.”
A naming competition has started in Saskatoon to raise funds for the equipment that will go into the ambulances destined for Ukraine.
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